Honor thy elders

NORTH DENVER – In honor of National Grandparents Day, Little Man Ice Cream and fine restaurants from LoHi will host a Big Band Swing Brunch on Sunday, September 7 from 11:30-3:00 p.m. at the LoHi Community Plaza at 2620 16th Street.

The event will celebrate the wisdom of age and the curiosity of youth with a series of speakers who will reminisce about the changing neighborhoods in Northwest Denver. Memories will be shared from the Italian, Irish, Mexican, Jewish and Denver Pioneer perspectives. Nettie Moore is a Northwest Denver historian and community advocate who will reflect on her history and changes in the neighborhood since the 1920’s. The keynote address will be by Phil Goodstein, prolific author of the book, Northside Story.

Following this trip-down-memory-lane brunch, a 19-piece swing band, “Bob’s Big Band,” will turn the Plaza into a swinging dance floor from yesteryear.

Grandkids and students will be on hand to “Adopt-a-Pop” and “Adopt-a-Gram” to visit, rake leaves, shovel snowy walks, walk dogs or read to seniors this fall. Skinner holds leadership classes, as well as a team called Skinner Ambassadors who meet after school to do service-learning projects. Other schools are welcome to emulate this concept and enjoy and learn from the company of the “older and wiser” generation.

Grandparents are invited to “Adopt-a-School.” The “Grands” currently offer their services at Skinner Middle School as volunteers in the classroom. This program, spearheaded by Marilyn Leff, is seeking to expand its reach to Valdez and Centennial elementary schools this year.

Come honor thy elders. It is because of them, that we are lucky enough to be here. For information contact bashacohen@aol.com.